DIOCESE—To encourage stewardship engagement in a fun and creative way, the Catholic Education and Charitable Giving offices sponsored a video contest in late 2022. This contest was open to youth groups, homeschool groups, religious education programs, and Catholic schools. 

 

The goal of the contest, according to Claudia Broman, director of Charitable Giving; and John Jelinek, director of Adult Faith Formation, Religious Education, and Youth Ministry; was to challenge the youth and their families to grapple with the meaning of discipleship and stewardship in their daily lives. 

 

Participants were invited to create a video between 90 seconds and two minutes regarding “What is stewardship?” 

 

Broman said “We had incredible participation for a first-time contest, and we very much appreciate the involvement at all our parishes and schools.” 

 

Broman said 21 entries were submitted, ranging from elementary school to high school classrooms, home schooling groups, and religious education programs.

 

In a letter to parishes and schools announcing the winners, Broman and Jelinek said “We want to thank you for making stewardship a priority at your parish and/or school. Helping people understand the relationship between all the gifts God provides for us, our gratitude for these gifts, and our growth as disciples is so important to the future of our Church.”

 

Broman said “Stewardship and discipleship are integrally related, and our hope is that we can continue to assist our parishes and schools in making them a reality.” 

 

From the 21 entries, the top three videos were selected along with two being awarded honorable mentions. The top three received a certificate and gift card and the honorable mentions received a certificate. 

 

The top three winners of the first-ever stewardship video contest are:

 

-- Allex Academy, a homeschool group from SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Cary; 

 

-- Fourth-grade class at St. Charles Borromeo School at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Hampshire; and

 

-- House of Isibindi at Montini Catholic Elementary School, McHenry. 

 

The honorable mentions are: 

 

-- St. Mary (Durand) and St. Patrick (Irish Grove) Parishes’ seventh- to twelfth-grade religious education class; and

 

-- House of Reveur: Dreamers at Montini Catholic Elementary School, McHenry.

 

All the winning videos are available for viewing on the Diocese of Rockford Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofRockford